Charger Report

Chiefs fans cry foul after loss and accuse Chargers of being dirty

The Chargers have swept the Chiefs for the first time since 2013 and knocked Kanas City out of playoff contention. Some fans accused the Chargers of dirty hits.
Thomas Martinez|
Denny Medley-Imagn Images

In this story:

Los Angeles ChargersKansas City Chiefs

The Los Angeles Chargers took down their AFC West rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs, in a hard-hitting battle on a cold Missouri day at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chargers have swept the Chiefs for the first time since Andy Reid's first year with the franchise in 2013.

The Chiefs entered the game with slim playoff hopes remaining following a loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday Night Football in week 14. Any playoff hopes remaining essentially would die with a loss to the Chargers.

The game ended up being a defensive fist fight in the sub-freezing temperatures with the Chargers taking home a 16-13 victory and officially eliminated the Chiefs from playoff contention.

Chiefs fans are not used to the Chiefs losing or being eliminated from the playoffs. It will be the first time the team will miss the playoffs since finishing with a 9-7 record in tight end Travis Kelce's first year on the field in 2014.

RELATED: Chargers' gutsy win over Chiefs skyrockets playoff chances in AFC race

Chiefs fans accuse the Chargers defense of being dirty

Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs took exception to some of the violent hits and plays that took place in the game and widely accused the Chargers of playing dirty. The game was a tough and brutal contest between rivals.

Many of the plays that fans cried foul on were the result of receivers being put in dangerous situations by playcalls and throws from quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Rashee Rice was on the losing end of two massive but legal hits from Chargers safeties Derwin James and Rashee Rice.

Rashee Rice has been on the receiving end of these hits now two weeks in a row from two tough defenses in the Houston Texans and Chargers. The offensive playcalling and Patrick Mahomes may have to take some of the blame for the repeated blows in the same area of the field.

RELATED: Chargers sweep Chiefs for the first time in over a decade

Chiefs fans let their feelings be heard on social media after several of these hits.

Arguably the most controversial hit came early in the 4th quarter when Chargers safety Tony Jefferson hit Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thorton deep in the middle of the field. Thorton catches the pass and drops to absorb the hit from Jefferson.

The move from Thorton dropped the target zone for the defender and Jefferson hit Thorton helmet to helmet. The hit unfortunately knocked Thorton out of the game due to concussion protocols.

Many fans, former NFL players and analysts noted that the hit was not egregious from Jefferson and that the wide receiver lowered himself into the hit. Kansas City is not used to losing and their fans may not be used to being on the receiving end of a more physical game.

The Chargers and Chiefs are rivals. They play each other tough and continue to battle. This was not the Chiefs year and Patrick Mahomes faces a long rehab process for a torn ACL he suffered in the final seconds of the game. The battle will continue next season.

— Enjoy free coverage of the Chargers from Los Angeles Chargers on SI —

Sign Up For the Chargers Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Los Angeles Chargers Newsletter

More Los Angeles Chargers News:

Tony Jefferson hit leads to ejection, Jim Harbaugh, Andy Reid help break up skirmish

Trade acquisition in rotation with high-priced free agent to protect Justin Herbert

Chargers vs. Chiefs playoff-implicating matchup quick analysis, takeaways

Chargers knock Patrick Mahomes from game and Chiefs from playoffs in epic victory

Published
Thomas Martinez
THOMAS MARTINEZ

Thomas Martinez has covered the Chargers and the NFL draft since 2022. Born and raised as a Chargers fan, experienced the improbable Super Bowl run in the 94’ season as a child, survived Ryan Leaf, the Marlon McCree fumble and Nate Kaeding in the playoffs. He graduated from UC Riverside with a degree in Political Science and The University of Redlands with an MBA.

Home/Los Angeles Chargers Latest News